VP tries to quiet Balinese fears about porn bill

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 03/21/2006 8:34 AM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Vice President Jusuf Kalla told the Balinese people Monday the porn bill would not affect the resort island's tourism industry by criminalizing sunbathing in skimpy attire, nor would it be incompatible with their Hindu culture if passed into law.

The Balinese public and the Bali administration have expressed objections to the bill, drawn up by Muslim parties and clerics, which calls for prison terms and fines for kissing in public, exposure of a woman's ""sensual"" body parts and the display of ""erotic"" artworks.

Balinese fear the vague, loosely defined terminology in the bill would lead to curbs on traditional dancing, clothing and even bathing in rivers.

""Don't worry, we (the government) don't agree (with everything in the bill),"" Kalla told tourist chiefs.

While he said the bill was necessary to protect the young generation, he admitted the difficulty in finding the right formula and definition of pornography and obscene acts.

""But I am sure if it is passed, it will not destroy your rights. All the political parties are listening to your complaints,"" he said.

Muslim activists defend the bill as necessary to counter what they say is a growing Westernization of Indonesian society. Opponents, including women activists, say it attacks the country's secular traditions and will target women.

Meanwhile, former president and noted Muslim scholar Abdurrahman ""Gus Dur"" Wahid has blasted the bill as disregarding freedom of expression.

""If the bill is passed, I will start and lead efforts to amend the law because it violates our Constitution,"" Gus Dur said in a recent recorded interview with entrepreneur/artist Jaya Suprana screened Thursday.

The interview also aimed at supporting artist Agus Suwage, photographer Davy Linggar, model Izabel Yahya and soap opera star Anjasmara, who were sued by a hardliner Muslim group for lewd behavior, based on a series of photographs exhibited in July last year.

""We should not force our own interpretation upon others,"" said Gus Dur, adding that the bill was based only on the values of particular individuals.

Noted human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, who represents the group of artists, said the bill ""cannot be considered the coup de grace in the fight to protect morality. It is the Criminal Code that needs to be changed.""

Jaya said that while controversy was normal in a newly democratic country, it seemed democracy was being used ""to destroy democracy itself. It is the price we have to pay.""

There also is discord in the House of Representatives' special committee deliberating the bill, after committee chief Balkan Kaplale said last week the bill had been revised after the public outcry.

Committee member Afridel Jinu of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle countered there were no revisions, and criticized Balkan's style of leadership.

""(His statement) is misleading. His authoritarian way is what stirred up this controversy,"" said Afridel.

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